A recent survey conducted in Argentina by Neuronal Crafted Data revealed concerning results regarding the perception and challenges surrounding obesity in the country. Gabriel Barasch from the organization stated that 'only 3 out of 10 people consider that overweight and obesity are preventable, when in reality there are effective strategies to prevent their development.'
Ana María Cappelletti, coordinator of the Obesity Working Group of the Argentine Society of Nutrition, emphasized the importance of promoting healthy habits and having the support of health professionals to avoid falling into false promises or magical solutions that do not lead to effective results.
The study showed that 9 out of 10 individuals with overweight or obesity have experienced discrimination, which can have a negative impact on their emotional and psychological well-being. This stigma makes it difficult to seek appropriate treatments, leading to consequences such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that maintaining long-term results is fundamental for the success of treatment, but unfortunately, half of the individuals become discouraged and abandon the process if they do not see the expected results. Dr. Cappelletti noted that obesity is a health problem with serious implications as it increases the risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, along with affecting mental health and quality of life.
More than 60% of Argentine adults are overweight or obese, figures that do not improve in children and adolescents. Dr. Virginia Busnelli, current president of the SAN, stressed the importance of addressing obesity from a comprehensive and non-stigmatizing perspective, as it is a complex issue that cannot be resolved immediately.
In this sense, it was revealed that many people are unaware of the existence of pharmacological tools for the treatment of obesity. It is crucial to take measures to improve health and not give up if previous attempts did not yield results, as there are currently effective strategies and professionals willing to provide the necessary support to tackle this issue sustainably.
